INDIAN NAVY - OCEAN RING OF YOGA INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA

 

21st June was recognised as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in Dec 14 at the initiative of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Since 2015, the IDY has been observed worldwide with great enthusiasm and fervour. To commemorate IDY 23, the Ministry of AYUSH has planned an event ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ (symbolising unity and solidarity) in coordination with Ministry of Defence and other ministries. In support of the IDY-23 initiative, Indian Navy ships deployed in the Indian Ocean Region are visiting various ports of friendly foreign countries and spreading the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which is also the theme for IDY 23.

The Indian Navy has been an ambassador for Yoga across the seas for several years now and Yoga sessions are scheduled at most foreign ports visited by Indian Naval ships; thereby spreading the message of the benefits accrued from Yoga towards leading a healthy lifestyle. This year, Indian Navy is actively supporting the IDY at a global scale as port calls are planned at Chattogram, Bangladesh; Safaga, Egypt; Jakarta, Indonesia; Mombasa, Kenya; Toamasina, Madagascar; Muscat, Oman; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand; and Dubai, UAE by IN Ships Kiltan, Chennai, Shivalik, Sunayna, Trishul, Tarkash, Vagir, Sumitra and Brahmaputra respectively.

In all, as part of IDY 23 Ocean Ring of Yoga, nearly 3500 naval personnel onboard 19 Indian Naval ships have travelled over 35,000 Km as ambassadors of Yoga in both national and international waters. This includes over 2400 personnel on 11 IN ships at foreign ports/ international waters. Notably, IDY celebrations are also planned onboard ships of several foreign Navies in concert with our overseas Missions, involving over 1200 foreign Navy personnel.     

The IDY-23 activities by the Indian Naval ships at foreign ports are planned to involve the ship’s crew and personnel from the host country and would be focused on the ‘Common Yoga Protocol’ (CYP), to increase awareness about yoga on an international scale and to highlight its immense potential to enhance the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of well-being, towards an endeavour to facilitate its worldwide adoption.

IDY activities at all naval ports, bases, ships and establishments have commenced. These activities include practising CYP and conducting Yoga-related activities daily in the run-up to the final event on 21 Jun 23. Yoga awareness campaigns to encourage maximum participation by naval personnel, defence civilians and families as promulgated in the portals of the Ministry of AYUSH including 'Har Angaan Yoga' are being ensured.  Mass camps, workshops, poster-making competitions, quizzes and lectures on ‘Health Benefits of Yoga’ are being conducted across the Navy.

4th Education Working Group Meeting commences in Pune

• India’s G20 Presidency, an opportunity to leverage diversity for universal peace- Harsh Vardhan Shringla
• Exchange of best practices witnessed during EdWG meetings will pave way for targeted actions aimed at ensuring fundamental literacy- K. Sanjay Murthy

The 4th Education Working Group meeting (EdWG) commenced today in Pune to finalize outcome documents to be presented at the Education Ministers meeting on 22nd June, 2023.

The meeting was chaired by G-20 India Chair and Secretary, Department of Higher Education K. Sanjay Murthy, with Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Sanjay Kumar, and Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Atul Kumar Tiwari as Alternate Chairs.

Deliberations with the G20 delegates on the draft ministerial declaration took place on day 1 of the 4th EdWG meeting. The International Organisations (IOs) UNICEF, OECD and UNESCO presented the education working group report. G20 members and invited countries appreciated the sustained efforts of the Indian Presidency and IOs for having put together the education policies and programmes by setting a common agenda for the group in a comprehensive manner through the EdWG Report and Compendium.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator, India's G20 Presidency emphasized that India, as the world's largest democracy, is being considered a source of solutions for global and local challenges. He highlighted the valuable exchange of best practices in the previous three EdWG meetings held in Chennai, Amritsar, and Bhubaneswar, focusing on tech-enabled learning, research and collaboration, and the future of work. The Fourth and final meeting will address the theme of Foundational Literacy & Numeracy (FLN). He further added that India is focused in driving towards an inclusive international order that works together despite ideological differences for sustainable global good.

 

K. Sanjay Murthy extended a warm welcome to all the delegates attending the 4th EdWG meeting. He shared that the exchange of experiences and best practices witnessed during the EdWG meetings will pave way for targeted actions aimed at ensuring fundamental literacy for every child. He also highlighted the importance of the previous three meetings and expressed appreciation towards the G20 delegates for the enthusiastic participation witnessed in all past EdWG events.

On the side-lines of the 4th EdWG, a meeting and seminar were held on the theme ‘Ensuring Foundational Literacy & Numeracy especially in context of Blended Learning.’ Additionally, a multimedia exhibition is being held at Savitribai Phule Pune University from 17th-22nd June 2023.  With over 12,000 attendees and 80+ exhibitors, the exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase FLN related initiatives.  Notable participants in the exhibition include NCERT, IKS (Indian Knowledge System), Microsoft, Nipun Bharat initiative, Indonesia, UNICEF, UNESCO and many others.

G20 Delegates also participated in a Heritage Walk of Pune City which included visit to Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal and Nana Wada to experience the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra. In addition, International Day of Yoga celebrations will be arranged to give G20 delegates, an opportunity to do Yoga for a healthy mind and soul.

Press Release l Ministry of Culture to celebrate the International Day of Yoga

Ministry of Culture would be celebrating the International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2023.

 

All the organizations -attached offices, subordinate offices, and autonomous bodies- under the ministry have been directed to observe IDY with full participation following the approved Common Yoga Protocol.  It has also been proposed to observe IDY 2023 at iconic sites with the help of circle offices of ASI which would enable wider reach and participation. In Purana Qila, New Delhi – Minister of State for Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi will grace the occasion. Ministry of Culture staff and officials and other Ministry of Culture organizations in Delhi would take part in the IDY celebrations.

In Nurmahal Sarai, Jalandhar, Punjab – Minister of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal will be the Chief Guest and leading the IDY celebrations. All organizations of Ministry of Culture will also be conducting many cultural events and programs as well in their respective headquarters.  Ministry of Culture is committed to make International Day of Yoga a grand success and to show India's unity globally for the cause of 'Public Health' and our commitment to Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and well being.

Press Release l PM's departure statement ahead of his visit to USA and Egypt

20 JUN 2023 7:15AM by PIB Delhi

I am travelling to the United States of America on a State Visit at the invitation of President Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. This special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between our democracies.
 
I will commence my visit in New York, where I will celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community. I look forward to this special celebration at the very location that supported India’s proposal in December 2014 to recognize an International Day of Yoga.
 
I will thereafter travel to Washington D.C. President Biden and I have had the opportunity to meet several times since my last Official Visit to the USA in September 2021. This visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of our partnership.
 
India-US ties are multifaceted, with deepening engagements across sectors. USA is India’s largest trade partner in goods and services. We collaborate closely in science & technology, education, health, defence and security fields. The initiative on Critical & Emerging Technologies has added new dimensions and widened collaboration to defence industrial cooperation, space, telecom, quantum, Artificial Intelligence and biotech sectors. Our two countries are also collaborating to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
 
My discussions with President Biden and other senior US leaders will provide an opportunity to consolidate our bilateral cooperation as well as in plurilateral forums such as G20, Quad and IPEF.
 
I will also have the pleasure of joining President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for the State Banquet along with a number of dignitaries.
 
The US Congress has always provided strong bi-partisan support to India-US ties. During my visit, I will address a Joint Session of the US Congress at the invitation of Congressional leadership.
 
Strong people-to-people linkages have been instrumental in developing the trust between our countries. I look forward to meeting the vibrant Indian-American community that represents the best of our societies. I will also meet some of the leading CEOs to discuss opportunities for elevating our trade and investment relationship and for building resilient global supply chains.
 
I am confident that my visit to the US will reinforce our ties based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom. Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges.
 
I will travel to Cairo from Washington D.C. at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. I am excited to pay a State Visit to a close and friendly country for the first time.
 
We had the pleasure of receiving President Sisi as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day celebrations this year. These two visits in the span of a few months is a reflection of our rapidly evolving partnership with Egypt, which was elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ during President Sisi’s visit.

I look forward to my discussions with President Sisi and senior members of the Egyptian Government to impart further momentum to our civilizational and multi-faceted partnership. I will also have the opportunity to interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora in Egypt.

5th Training Programme by India for Myanmar’s Power Sector Professionals

NTPC Ltd., India's largest power generation company, is conducting five training programmes for power sector professionals from Myanmar. These programmes are being conducted under the India-Myanmar Government to Government framework for cooperation in the Power Sector, as part of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, the leading capacity building platform of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

Out of the five programmes, four have been completed. All four of them received a very good response from the power sector professionals of Myanmar. The four programmes have been on Smart Grids; Cross Border Energy Trading; Electric Vehicles, Batteries and Charging Stations; and Microgrids. The first two were conducted in March – April 2023 and the latter two in June 2023.

The last of these five programmes, on "Solar Energy & Photovoltaic (PV) System," began today, June 19, 2023, with the inaugural function at the SCOPE Convention Centre in New Delhi. Scheduled to conclude on June 23, 2023, the programme aims to equip participants with comprehensive knowledge on Solar PV Projects, including technical components, economics, cost-benefit analysis, policy frameworks, project design, implementation, and associated challenges.

The inaugural function was graced by Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Vinay Kumar; Director, Finance, NTPC Ltd., J. Srinivasan; Director, Development Partnership Administration, Ministry of External Affairs, A. Bhattacharyya; Director, NTPC School of Business, Dr. Rajeshwari Narendran; Head, International Business Development, NTPC, Dr. J S Chandok; and Under Secretary (Myanmar), Ministry of External Affairs, H. Sagar. They addressed the twenty participants, including eleven female participants, emphasizing the significance of the training program in fostering collaboration and enhancing skills in the power sector.

The collaboration between India and Myanmar under the ITEC Programme shows the commitment of both nations to strengthen bilateral relations and promote knowledge exchange in the power sector.

The training programmes conducted by NTPC under the auspices of the ITEC demonstrate the company’s dedication to sharing expertise and best practices to promote sustainable and clean energy solutions.

Defence Minister of Vietnam calls on the Indian President

The Defence Minister of Vietnam, General Phan Van Giang called on  the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 19, 2023.

Welcoming General Giang and his delegation to India, the President said that India and Vietnam share a rich history of civilizational and cultural linkages spanning over 2000 years. She added that Vietnam is an important pillar of India’s Act East Policy and a key partner of our Indo-Pacific Vision. She noted that the India-Vietnam ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ has widened the range of bilateral collaboration including in defence and security cooperation, trade and investment relations, energy security, development cooperation, cultural and people-to-people relations. She said that bilateral defence cooperation is one of the strongest elements of this partnership. She was happy to note that India-Vietnam defence engagement spans a wide spectrum, including capacity building, industry cooperation, Peacekeeping, and joint exercises.

Press Release l Govt building a strong & self-reliant India - Rajnath Singh

• Govt building a strong & self-reliant India, a flag-bearer of peace with the capability to give a befitting reply to its adversaries: Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh in Dehradun
• “Our aim is to build an ’Aatmanirbhar’ defence sector that equips the military with latest weapons & technologies”
• “Groundwork being laid under PM Modi’s leadership for India to become a developed nation by 2047”

India is witnessing economic, social, cultural & political empowerment under Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s leadership, with groundwork being laid for the country to become a developed nation by 2047. This was stated by Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh at an event, organised on the theme ‘Swarnim Bhavishya’, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on June 19, 2023. Rajnath Singh asserted that the steps taken by the Government in the last few years have ensured the holistic development of the country, social cohesion and re-connected the people with the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

The Raksha Mantri touched upon some of the path-breaking decisions, including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat & abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, besides India’s brave fight against COVID-19 pandemic and measures to get rid of the colonial mindset while instilling the feeling of pride in Indian heritage, traditions & values among the people.
 

Rajnath Singh also shed light on the steps taken towards women empowerment, including construction of pucca houses with toilets in rural areas and ensuring that females get equal opportunities as their male counterparts in every field. On the decisions taken to increase the role of women in the Armed Forces, he stated that doors have been opened for girls for admission in Sainik Schools and female officers are being posted at the world's highest battlefield in Siachen glacier as well as on warships. He added that efforts are being made to make the country completely safe for women and provide them with abundant opportunities.

Laying out the roadmap of India’s Swarnim Bhavishya from the military & security perspective, the Raksha Mantri asserted that the Government is committed to build an India which is completely self-reliant in the defence sector and possesses state-of-the-art weapons & technologies. He highlighted the efforts being made to ensure that the country’s youth have ample opportunities if they wish to serve the motherland as defence scientists.

“We have established new IITs & NITs and the number of seats have also increased. In addition, we have invited ideas in the defence sector through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative and Technology Development Fund (TDF) which aims to promote start-ups. Due to these steps and many other reforms, India is well on course to soon become one of the leading defence exporters from an importer. We are building a strong and self-reliant India which is the flag-bearer of regional & global peace and, at the same time, has the wherewithal to give a befitting reply to those who try to cast an evil eye,” said Rajnath Singh.

The Raksha Mantri lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming India’s image at the global stage to an assertor from a mere observer. While India is the world’s third largest economy in terms of Purchasing Power Parity, it will, by 2027, become the third largest economy in terms of nominal GDP as well, he hoped. He voiced the Government’s vision to bring India at the forefront in terms of GDP, while connecting the people with its country’s tradition and culture.

Mass Yoga demonstration at Jabalpur

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to lead mass Yoga demonstration at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
• PM Narendra Modi to lead global celebration of Yoga from UN HQ on International Day of Yoga: Sarbananda Sonowal
• Given the tremendous response from public, we expect at least 25 crores to join this year’s IDY celebration”: Sarbananda Sonowal
• Unique initiatives like Ocean Ring of Yoga, Yoga Bharatmala, Har Aangan Yoga and many such events will be celebrated on IDY 2023

The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the global celebration of International Day of Yoga will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA on the International Day of Yoga (IDY 2023) on 21st June, 2023. The National celebration of IDY2023 will be led by Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. It may be noted that the PM Modi urged and persuaded the United Nations to celebrate June 21 as International Day Yoga at the same venue nine years ago in 2014.

Addressing at the curtain raiser press conference here, Sonowal said, “As we move closer to the International Day of Yoga, we are taking the celebration of Yoga, one of the greatest gifts of India’s rich heritage to humanity, to another level this year. Our dynamic Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji will lead the yoga day celebrations from the UN Headquarters in New York. It has been nine years since UN recognised Yoga day celebration for June 21 after a passionate attempt by PM Narendra Modi convinced member states of the world to join in this wonderful celebration of positive mind and body. As PM Narendra Modi ji celebrates this year’s Yoga day by leading the global celebration of IDY from the United Nations, this is perfect tribute to this year’s motto Yoga for ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.”

Sonowal further said, “This year’s theme for IDY 2023 “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” aptly describes our aspiration for - ‘One Earth One Family One Future’. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has been the guiding light for the Indian heritage since time immemorial and our ethos and socio-cultural fabric are woven around it. I sincerely hope through practice of Yoga the global community is able to find solutions to various current health challenges.”

On 21 June,  Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar will lead the mass yoga demonstration in presence of Governor of Madhya Pradesh Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh,  Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Union Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Food Processing Industries Prahalad Singh Patel, Union Minister of State for Women & Child Development and Ayush, Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai, Union Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for School Education (Independent Charge) and General Administration, Government of Madhya Pradesh Inder Singh Parmar, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Water Resources, Government of Madhya Pradesh Ram Kishore (Nano) Kawre, MP from Jabalpur Rakesh Singh among others.

This year International Day of Yoga will witness many unique features like Ocean Ring of Yoga, where India naval ships will be stationed at 9 ports around the world and participate in CYP demonstration. Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways will also organize CYP demonstration in countries with whom they have signed a MoUs.

Yoga from Arctic to Antarctica is another feature in which MEA is coordinating with Ministry of Ayush to organise CYP in countries falling in and around Prime Meridian line besides UN member countries. Yoga on North Pole and South Pole regions will be held in coordination with MoES at Himadri-the Indian research base in Arctic and Bharati-the Indian research base in Antarctica.

Yoga Bharatmala has been conceptualised, where Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force along with ITBP, BSF, BRO will make a chain of Yoga demonstration in unison. Yoga Sagarmala will witness yoga along Indian coast line. There will be Yoga demonstration at the flight deck of INS Vikrant.

At National level this year International Day of Yoga will try to achieve “Har Aangan Yoga” by enabling observation of Yoga at village level. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter to all Gram Pradhans, appealing them to observe International Day of Yoga at their nearest Anganwadi, Health and Wellness Centres, and schools. In addition to that around 2 lakhs common service centres, Ayush Health & Wellness Centres of under National Ayush Mission, Ayush Gram and location of Amrit Sarovar will also participate in the celebration of International Day of Yoga.

The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Ministry of External Affairs is hosting a photography contest "Yoga My Pride" on MyGov.in platform. National and International participants can upload a photo of themselves doing “Yogasanas” along with a caption apt for the photograph. National and International participants will be awarded prizes in three categories.

Y-break at workspaces was introduced by Ministry of Ayush with the aim to get de-stressed, refreshed, and re-focused at workspace. This year Y-break @ workspaces – Yoga in chair has been introduced, which can be done while sitting in chair. All ministries/departments of Government of India have been requested to ask their employees to practice Yoga in chair.

 

The international Day of Yoga is being celebrated with a whole government approach. All the key ministries of the Government of India, National and International leading Yoga institutes & organizations and other stakeholders are already participating in various run-up activities of IDY 2023. Along with these Indian missions and embassies, UN member states and WHO GCTM office in Jamnagar will also participate in the International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2023. 

220 crore vaccine doses: India surprises the world

• India surprised the world by administering 220 crore vaccine doses through a fully digital platform (COWIN), not even imagined by developed western countries, says Dr. Jitendra Singh
• Dr. Jitendra inaugurates Free Telemedicine StartUp Mobile Camp "Doctor on Wheels" at Billawar, the first ever in J&K
• Telemedicine mobile service does full body check-ups, followed by a check-up by a super speciality doctor and a prescription by a leading doctor: Dr. Jitendra Singh
• This free telemedicine facility at Billawar will overcome the problems of ‘Accessibility, Availability and Affordability’: Dr. Jitendra Singh
• Telemedicine services like the ones provided today are at par with anywhere in the world; Advanced robotic surgeries would be also done in future using telemedicine services: Dr. Jitendra Singh
• The mantra of PM Narendra Modi ‘Seva, Samparan and Start-up’ is being followed in these telemedicine mobile services with extraordinary medical facilities: Dr. Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said, under PM Narendra Modi, India had surprised the world by administering 220 crore Covid vaccine doses through a fully digital platform (COWIN), not even imagined by the developed western countries.

Dr. Jitendra Singh was speaking after inaugurating Free Telemedicine StartUp Mobile Camp "Doctor on Wheels" at block Mandli in Billawar.

Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that this is the 3rd phase of first-ever mobile telemedicine service being provided in Jammu & Kashmir purely from non-government sources. The first phase covered more than 60 villages in remote Gandoh in district Doda and the second phase covered far-flung villages situated along International Border in district Kathua previously deprived of adequate medical services.

The Minister said, the free telemedicine mobile camp today at Mandli in Billawar is being run by two StartUp groups belonging to North India and South India, each respectively.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, this free telemedicine facility at Billawar today will overcome the problems of ‘Accessibility, Availability and Affordability'. He said, all the three obstacles like quality of services, doctors and assistance, distance of travelling and cost of consultation/treatment are targeted and solved efficiently through this facility. Ordinarily, a metro hospital will cost a patient more than fifty thousand and may take two to three weeks time. This type of free telemedicine mobile camp will solve all the problems especially for those having weak socio-economic background, Dr. Jitendra Singh added.

Emphasising that India today is technologically at par with the most developed countries of the world, Dr. Jitendra Singh asserted that such telemedicine services as provided today are at par with the ones provided anywhere in the world and the advanced robotic surgeries would also be done in future using telemedicine services.

The mantra of PM Narendra Modi ‘Seva, Samparan and Start-up’ is being followed in these free telemedicine mobile services with extraordinary medical facilities for people with low socio-economic background as this government is dedicated to the poor, said Dr. Jitendra Singh.